Illicit affairs

3

Noelle pulled up to the address she was given and looked over at the cozy looking home decorated with beautiful plants around the exterior. Elsie and Noelle got out of the car and made their way to the front door as Noelle admired the blooming flowers. The door opened to reveal Taylor wearing an oversized sweater and cat resting on her arm. "Oh my god you have a cat." Elsie gushed and approached to pet the cat who quickly accepted her affection. "Wanna hold him?" Taylor asked. "Can I?" Elsie smiled.

Taylor handed the cat into her arms as it quickly curled up against Elsie. "Do you guys have a cat at home?" Taylor asked. "No, dad doesn't like them." Elsie said as she gently caressed the cat. Elsie looked over at Noelle, "You can go now mom."

Taylor shut the door as her and Noelle exchanged a glance. "Actually I invited your mom over to stay while you study." Taylor explained. Elsie's smile dropped, "That wasn't the deal." "The deal was that I would let you get a change of scenery and get your studies done." Taylor replied. "You tricked me." Elsie slightly glared.

"I can just..."Noelle whispered to Taylor offering to leave. Taylor gently touched her arm and shook her head. "Your mom is just here to chat and keep me company while you study. I promise she won't bother you." Taylor replied. Elsie huffed and continued to pet the cat in her arms. "Why don't you take him into the office with you and he can keep you company. If you need me I'll be out here." Taylor reassured. Elsie nodded. "Why don't you go wait in the kitchen and I'll be there in a bit." Taylor said to Noelle before taking Elsie off to the office.

Noelle admired the unique decor of antiques and made her way into the kitchen. The smell of fresh cookies baking filled the air and she relaxed as she took a seat at the counter. "Okay I got Elsie settled in. I have cookies baking in the oven..."Taylor turned to look at Noelle, "Could I get you anything to drink?"

"Tea would be nice." Noelle nodded. Taylor smiled and got two mugs from the cabinet before setting the kettle to boil. She checked on the cookies and leaned against the counter. "You have a really lovely home." Noelle said as Taylor looked over at her with a smile. "Thank you." "Do you do a lot of antique shopping?" Noelle asked.

"I go when I can. There's a really nice shop I go to a few towns over." Taylor said as she searched her cabinet for tea bags, "What about you? Do you do much antiquing?" "No but I've always wanted to go." Noelle replied. "Then let's go." Taylor said as she looked to Noelle, "Is lemon tea okay?"

"That's fine." Noelle nodded. Taylor nodded and began to prep the tea. "But what do you mean let's go?" Noelle asked. "Let's go antiquing." Taylor clarified. "I don't think Elsie would like that." Noelle replied. "Just us two." Taylor said as she set the cup of tea down in front of her. "Us two?" Noelle questioned. Taylor nodded. "Would your husband have a problem with it?"

Noelle rolled her eyes and stared at her tea. "He wouldn't care." She sighed. "So what exactly is going on between you two? if you don't mind me asking."Taylor said as she sipped her tea. Noelle sipped her tea and sighed, "He's been working a lot more lately." "Elsie did mention him being gone working more often. She said he's been doing it since you both have been fighting a lot more." Taylor replied.

Noelle shook her head, "No. we've been fighting because he's been gone 'working' more often." She said signaling in quotation. "I'm not sure I follow?" Taylor replied. "His work never gives him as much overtime as he's been claiming he has. He's been quick to leave and comes home with his suits having a lingering smell of cheap perfume on them. Yet he insists he's working." Noelle explained. Taylor seemed slightly surprised, "So you think he's lying and seeing someone?"

"I don't think, I know." Noelle said as she sipped her tea. "How are you so sure?" Taylor asked. Noelle lightly tapped the cup in her hands and stared down at her tea. She took a deep breath and looked back up at Taylor, "He's comes home late, nearly at 2am. He doesn't touch me or kiss me anymore. Sometimes he doesn't even come and sleep in the same bed as me anymore...he goes to sleep in the guest room."

Taylor frowned, "Does Elsie know?" She asked. Noelle shook her head, "No. She doesn't care to listen to me, I'm just the bad guy who's the reason her dad is gone all the time in her eyes." "But if he's truly having an affair, why hasn't he asked for a divorce?" Taylor asked. "Fuck if I know." Noelle took a sip of her tea, "My bet would be that he doesn't want to pay child support...or he'd rather not be the first one to suggest it just so he can continue to be the victim in our daughter's eyes."

They sat in silence for a moment. "Go antiquing with me tomorrow." Taylor said breaking the silence. "Tomorrow?" Noelle questioned. Taylor nodded, "Tell your husband you're going out and leave him to spend time with Elsie. She gets time with her dad and you get time to yourself." Taylor shrugged. "Are you sure?" Noelle asked. "It'll be fun. I normally go alone and I'd enjoy the company." Taylor smiled. "Let's do it." Noelle smiled.

The oven timer went off and Taylor quickly took the cookies out to cool. "I'm going to take a few of these to Elsie and check if she needs anything. I'll be back." Taylor said as she took a plate and drink with her and left the room.

———

Elsie had her homework finished and was ready to leave. "Take some cookies for the road." Taylor said handing Elsie a small container packed with cookies. "Thanks for everything." Noelle smiled as they gathered their things. "Of course, if you ever need a place to focus or just someone to talk to you're more than welcome to come by." Taylor smiled. "See you Monday." Elsie smiled and made her way out to the car.

Taylor gently grabbed Noelle's arm just as she was about to leave, "Tomorrow, 6 am. I'll wait for you here." Taylor reminded. Noelle nodded, "I'll try not to forget." She laughed and walked off.

———

Noelle looked at the time on the clock. 2:34 am. She heard footsteps approach as Vince entered the room. He undid his tie and began to change out of his work attire. "I'm leaving you with Elsie tomorrow." Noelle said as she flipped through her book. Vince looked back at Noelle confused. "What?" He asked.

"I figured since you've been putting in so much overtime to avoid coming home...I'd go out and get a break while you spend some time with our daughter for once." Noelle explained as she shut her book, "She's missed her dad. That shouldn't be a problem right?" She asked. Vince remained slightly confused, "What plans do you have?" He questioned.

"I'm just going out with some friends." Noelle shrugged. "What friends?" Vince asked. "Friends." Noelle replied as she got ready for bed, "Make sure you close the door on your way out. Goodnight." Noelle said turning the bedside light off and settling into bed. Vince felt conflicted not knowing if he should feel relieved or concerned and made his way out of the bedroom.